$408 Red Light Camera Ticket: Is That Fair?

Hate red light cameras?

If so, you might hate them even more if Gov. Rick Scott signs a bill recently passed by the Florida Legislature into law. The bill sets a new process for appeals that enables local government bodies – cities and counties – to tack on an additional $250 in court fees for those who try to appeal tickets generated by red light cameras and fail. It also puts the new appeals process into the hands of those very same local governments that would benefit from the additional fees.

That means motorists who appeal and lose will no longer be subject to just a $158 penalty – they might have to fork over $408.

The new law, according to The Tampa Tribune, was designed to streamline the appeals process and put more control in the hands of governments that have red light cameras, such as the cities like Tampa and St. Petersburg. It’s also meant to make sure drivers who are ticketed have a chance to appeal if they’d like. The time frame is 60 days for an appeal if the law goes into effect on July 1.

Critics, however, say putting local governments in charge of appeals opens the door for abuse.

What do you think, Tampa Bay? Should failed appeals cost more? Is it right for the governments that collect the fines to run the appeals process? Share your thoughts by commenting below!